A cause close to her heart

Northport mom touts early awareness of congenital heart defects

Jamie Coombs plays with her son, Liam, 2, at Huntington Elementary's playground near their home Wednesday. Liam was born with heart defects and had to have surgery at 8 weeks old at UAB Hospital. February is American Heart Month and Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has declared February 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week for the state of Alabama.

Michelle Lepianka Carter | Tuscaloosa News

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 11:55 p.m.

NORTHPORT | About 40,000 infants born in the U.S. each year have congenital heart defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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When Northport mom Jamie Coombs gave birth in August 2010, she never dreamed that her baby boy would be one of them. But the day after Liam was born, her son's pediatrician heard a heart murmur during a regular examination, she said. Her son was taken to Birmingham to be examined by a pediatric cardiologist.

“He had an atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, ventricular septal defect and subaortic stenosis,” Coombs said. “In healthy baby terms, that's bad, but in heart baby terms, it's not as bad as it could be. There is always somebody who is worse.”

Because of her son's small size at birth, doctors waited until he was 8 weeks old to perform heart surgery.

“I absolutely knew that was what was needed to save his life,” Coombs said. “That was the point that he began to fail to thrive, and without (the surgery) he would not have lived. That is why early detection is so important.”

February is American Heart Month, and Gov. Robert Bentley has declared Feb. 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week.

Some congenital heart defects can be found before birth by ultrasound, although for Coombs, that wasn't the case. After birth, symptoms that can signal a problem include bluish nails or lips or troubled breathing, according to the CDC.

In the past year, the state has mandated that pulse oximetry screenings be done for all babies before they are discharged from the hospital, said Brad Fisher, spokesman for the DCH Health System. The screening measures the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is saturated with oxygen.

When Liam was born in 2010, the pulse oximetry screening was not conducted on all babies. The screening can detect a critical congenital heart defect that could otherwise go undetected, Coombs said.

“Some congenital heart defects are not diagnosed until months or years after a child's birth, and undiagnosed congenital heart conditions cause many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes,” she said. “Early detection is crucial to saving lives.”

Although it was difficult to see her young son undergo surgery, Coombs said she knows it was worth it.

“Sending your child for life-saving surgery is heart-wrenching but very necessary,” Coombs said. “You learn that you are stronger than you know, because being strong for your baby is the only option you have.”

Now, at 21⁄2, Liam Coombs is a happy, healthy toddler and so far there has been no need for further heart surgeries.

“Through prayer and a lot of support from family and friends, we made it,” Coombs said. “Thank God for a happy ending.”

<p>NORTHPORT | About 40,000 infants born in the U.S. each year have congenital heart defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. </p><p>When Northport mom Jamie Coombs gave birth in August 2010, she never dreamed that her baby boy would be one of them. But the day after Liam was born, her son's pediatrician heard a heart murmur during a regular examination, she said. Her son was taken to Birmingham to be examined by a pediatric cardiologist. </p><p>“He had an atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, ventricular septal defect and subaortic stenosis,” Coombs said. “In healthy baby terms, that's bad, but in heart baby terms, it's not as bad as it could be. There is always somebody who is worse.”</p><p>Because of her son's small size at birth, doctors waited until he was 8 weeks old to perform heart surgery. </p><p>“I absolutely knew that was what was needed to save his life,” Coombs said. “That was the point that he began to fail to thrive, and without (the surgery) he would not have lived. That is why early detection is so important.”</p><p>February is American Heart Month, and Gov. Robert Bentley has declared Feb. 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. </p><p>Some congenital heart defects can be found before birth by ultrasound, although for Coombs, that wasn't the case. After birth, symptoms that can signal a problem include bluish nails or lips or troubled breathing, according to the CDC. </p><p>In the past year, the state has mandated that pulse oximetry screenings be done for all babies before they are discharged from the hospital, said Brad Fisher, spokesman for the DCH Health System. The screening measures the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is saturated with oxygen. </p><p>When Liam was born in 2010, the pulse oximetry screening was not conducted on all babies. The screening can detect a critical congenital heart defect that could otherwise go undetected, Coombs said. </p><p>“Some congenital heart defects are not diagnosed until months or years after a child's birth, and undiagnosed congenital heart conditions cause many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes,” she said. “Early detection is crucial to saving lives.”</p><p>Although it was difficult to see her young son undergo surgery, Coombs said she knows it was worth it. </p><p>“Sending your child for life-saving surgery is heart-wrenching but very necessary,” Coombs said. “You learn that you are stronger than you know, because being strong for your baby is the only option you have.”</p><p>Now, at 21⁄2, Liam Coombs is a happy, healthy toddler and so far there has been no need for further heart surgeries. </p><p>“Through prayer and a lot of support from family and friends, we made it,” Coombs said. “Thank God for a happy ending.” </p><p>Reach Lydia Seabol Avant at 205-722-0222 or lydia.seabolavant@tuscaloosanews.com.</p>